Hello Fyodor, Thank you so much for your very kind comment! However did you manage to track me down here? :) Your own work is beautiful - illustrations and puppets alike! I'm flattered you think well of my work and very glad you like The Night Before Christmas. You might perhaps be interested in these (for a number of reasons ;)): http://himmapaan.deviantart.com/gallery/#Myths-and-Legends-of-Russia. I ought to upload those illustrations here too, really. I've been badly negligent on LiveJournal of late.

I realize that this was a bit of a random friending (to you, I mean), so I shall explain. I've watched you on Deviantart for a while, and I absolutely adore your art. I think it's so beautifully detailed and your watercolor work is stunning. So when I discovered your journal here, I knew that I had to friend you.

I completely aspire to be able to sketch and paint with the skill that you do. So I'm friending you because I admire you. You don't have to friend back, I just love to look at your work.

hello,I just found this site linked to PJ Lynch's blog where we had the discussion about Dulac's work, and someone complimented you so I took a look. Your images for the Rubaiyat are stunning. Breathtaking. Now I will ask you as I asked PJL - would you share what paper you are working on? --- you have achieved Dulac's beautiful transformation of the paper into atmosphere.....In my own work I am struggling betw a smooth enough finish to achieve fine lines vs the right texture-finish for the larger areas of blended color. Would you share your paper and/or any advice?Thanks so much, (I have added this journal to my desktop, beautiful work)Ellen B

Thank you so much for your very kind comments. The paper I use most frequently is Arches cold pressed, 140lb/300gsm. Some people have said they find it has too much tooth for them, although it is not yet the truly rough variety which Arches offers. I actually enjoy using it very much. This illustration for instance was done on this paper: http://pics.livejournal.com/himmapaan/pic/00003w88

I sometimes use their satin smooth hot pressed, though more often for personal work, for some reason. Not out of deliberate decision so much as it just seems to happen this way. The hot pressed is of course easier for penwork, though one can't quite get the same effects in the washes. The paper is also whiter and less warm than the cold pressed. This is on hot pressed: http://pics.livejournal.com/himmapaan/pic/0000z3x4

Some of the Rubáiyát illustrations were done on some old Fabriano Artistico which I had left over. I adore this paper; unfortunately, they changed the recipe some time ago and no longer produce them the same way, I'm very disappointed. The old kind had an almost chain and laid surface. I think they may have changed the sizing too. This was on the old Fabriano: http://pics.livejournal.com/himmapaan/pic/0000rby9

I want to point out too that only one of the Rubáiyát illustrations was inked in first (this one: http://pics.livejournal.com/himmapaan/pic/00002r83). All the others had the linework done at almost the last stage with watercolour and gouache, and that is how I work now (this project in some ways marked that change. I still draw with ink, but rarely for colour pieces now). I'm hoping to post a few entries at some point to show some of the working stages.

Well, as I cannot assure you of my dazzling intellect or shared interests or even my good heart, I do not expect you to share your personal entries with me. However, I shall still request permission, as you've asked so prettily and I cannot resist well-constructed, thoroughly preened sentences, to add you as a friend just so I can follow your work. strainconductor sent me some of your images today and I do not possess an eloquent enough vocabulary to describe their beauty.

Sorry I'm late in replying! I've been terribly busy. Thank you so much for your extremely kind comment about my work. I will add you too as there is a deal of work in progress which is locked, and I'm afraid you would be waiting for months together to see any work otherwise!

A friend linked to your artwork today, and I have since added you because I am quite smitten. Your art is all so beautiful, and I would find it upsetting to miss a single (art related) update, now that I know you are here. I don't write often in my journal, and won't be offended if you do not friend me back. I simply wanted to say hello, and thank you for making such beautiful art!

this'll be luve from deviantart. i kept meaning to add you here. 'nother big fan of your work and from what i can see a fellow appreciator of classic illustration and subtracting-the-ever-loving-heck-out-of method with watercolor? at least i think? i would absolutely LOVE to see more work and works-in-progress from you. the process is the most fun part!no worries on whether or not you feel comfortable adding me back. i don't hide it much on my DA but i use my LJ for similarly geeky entertainment. complete with capslocking and yammering endlessly about russian cartoons...

There are quite a number of recent posts with in-progress pictures for a book I'm working on which you should now be able to see. These are silhouettes, however, so I don't know how much you'd be interested, but there they are. :)

I haven't updated for a while; I've been away from both LJ and dA recently. I hope to be back before too long. :)

Greetings,I have added you to my friends, as primo: I adore your works and secundo, I am new at live journal, and I don't know many people here. I doubt if you remember me from dA (my login: lunarie), however I will be glad to watch your journal, as you seem to me a very magical person and a kindred spirit.Of course you do not have to add me back. Have a pleasant day! :)